Setapp Top Alternatives and Competitors in 2026
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By Mohamed Zaki · Researched and updated November 11, 2026 · Coupons Scout may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Affiliate disclosure.
Looking for the Setapp top alternatives and competitors? Setapp is a strong pick if you want one membership for a curated collection of Mac, iOS and web apps, but CleanMyMac, Raycast and Alfred each shine in a different way. CleanMyMac focuses on cleanup and maintenance, Raycast offers a free launcher with optional AI, and Alfred pairs a free core with a one-time Powerpack licence. We compared all four on value, features, trials, licences and refund terms, using the brands’ own pages checked in November 2026.
Quick Answer
Setapp is our top pick for an all-in-one Mac app membership: the company says it covers 300+ Mac, iOS and web apps, with a 7-day free trial that includes 1,000 AI credits and a Mac plan from $14.99 a month plus tax. Choose CleanMyMac for Mac cleanup and maintenance, Raycast for a free keyboard launcher with optional AI, and Alfred if you prefer a free core and a one-time licence.
Best for: Setapp suits Mac and iPhone users who want hundreds of apps under one monthly bill instead of buying apps one by one.
Key Takeaways
- As of November 2026, the top Setapp alternatives are CleanMyMac, Raycast and Alfred, while Setapp says it covers 300+ Mac, iOS and web apps.
- As of November 2026, Setapp’s Mac plan costs $14.99 a month plus tax billed monthly, Mac + iOS costs $18.99 a month, and Setapp says yearly billing can save up to 40%.
- As of November 2026, CleanMyMac’s plan for 1 Mac is listed at $3.33 a month, billed $39.95 per year, with a 30-day money-back guarantee from MacPaw.
- As of November 2026, Raycast has a free plan and lists Pro at $8 a month billed annually ($96 a year) or $10 a month month-to-month, with a 7-day Pro trial.
- As of November 2026, Alfred offers a free core with no time limit and sells the Powerpack as a one-time licence; see the pricing page for current prices.
- Setapp says you can request a refund up to 30 days after the last payment on annual plans and up to 14 days on other subscriptions, so the 7-day free trial is a good way to start.
Setapp Top Alternatives and Competitors at a Glance
| App | Best for | Pricing model | Free plan / trial | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Setapp | Mac users who want one app membership | Monthly or yearly subscription, from $14.99/mo + tax | 7-day free trial with 1,000 AI credits | 4.4/5 |
| CleanMyMac | All-in-one Mac cleanup and maintenance | Yearly, monthly or one-time purchase, from $3.33/mo | 7-day free trial (CleanMyMac X) | 4.3/5 |
| Raycast | Keyboard-first Mac productivity | Free plan plus Pro, Pro+ and Max subscriptions from $8/mo | Free plan; 7-day Pro trial | 4.5/5 |
| Alfred | Mac launcher with a free core | Free core plus one-time Powerpack licence | Free core with no time limit | 4.2/5 |
From the pricing page of each brand on November 11, 2026. Taxes and regional prices can change the total.
Winners by Category
- Best all-in-one Mac app membership: Setapp (300+ Mac, iOS and web apps, according to the company).
- Best for Mac cleanup and maintenance: CleanMyMac (plan for 1 Mac from $3.33 a month, billed yearly).
- Best free launcher with optional AI: Raycast (free plan, Pro from $8 a month billed annually).
- Best for one-time licence buyers: Alfred (free core with no time limit plus Powerpack licences).
Why Look for a Setapp Alternative?
Do You Only Need One Type of App?
Setapp bundles 300+ apps, according to the company, which suits you if you use several of them. If you mainly want Mac cleanup, malware checks and maintenance, CleanMyMac focuses on that job, with a plan for 1 Mac listed at $3.33 a month, billed $39.95 per year.
Would You Rather Start on a Free Plan?
Setapp gives new members a 7-day free trial with 1,000 AI credits. Raycast has a free plan with Clipboard History, Snippets, Window Management and access to Raycast for iOS, and Alfred has a free core you can use with no time limit.
Do You Prefer a One-Time Licence?
Setapp is a subscription. CleanMyMac offers a one-time purchase as well as subscriptions, and Alfred sells its Powerpack as a licence rather than a monthly plan, including a Mega Supporter licence with free lifetime upgrades.
How We Compared the Setapp Alternatives
We read each company’s own pricing, feature, help and policy pages on November 11, 2026, and scored each tool on five points:
- What you get: apps, tools and features each product lists.
- Pricing model: subscription, one-time licence and team plans each product publishes.
- Platforms: macOS, iOS and other platforms each product supports.
- Refunds: trial, refund and cancellation terms each product states.
- Support: help center and support options each product describes.
Scores reflect this research, not a sponsorship, and no company reviewed this article. Where we earn a commission, it never changes the ranking.
How Much Do Setapp and Its Alternatives Cost?
These tools charge in different ways: Setapp and Raycast use monthly or yearly subscriptions, CleanMyMac offers subscriptions or a one-time purchase, and Alfred sells Powerpack licences. The table shows each entry option as listed on the brand’s own pages in November 2026, not a single yearly total.
| Service | Plan | Listed price |
|---|---|---|
| Setapp | Mac | $14.99/mo + tax, billed monthly; yearly billing saves up to 40% |
| CleanMyMac | Plan for 1 Mac | $3.33/mo, billed $39.95 per year |
| Raycast | Pro | $8/mo billed annually ($96/yr); $10/mo monthly |
| Alfred | Powerpack Single License | See pricing page |
Calculated from the prices shown on the brand pages on November 11, 2026. Taxes and regional prices can change the total.
1. Setapp: Best for Many Apps in One Subscription
Best for: Mac and iPhone users who want hundreds of apps under one monthly bill · Starting price: Mac plan from $14.99/mo + tax, billed monthly; Mac + iOS $18.99/mo; yearly billing saves up to 40% · Our score: 4.4/5
Setapp is a subscription that gives Mac and iPhone users one membership for a curated app collection. The company says it covers 300+ Mac, iOS and web apps, including AI tools and apps such as Nitro PDF Pro for creating and editing PDFs. Its pages promise free updates and no ads, and you can change your plan at any time in your Setapp account. New members get a 7-day free trial with 1,000 AI credits, and the Mac + iOS plan covers 1 Mac and 4 iOS devices.
According to its pricing page, the Mac plan costs $14.99 a month plus tax, billed monthly. Mac + iOS is $18.99 a month and Power User is $22.99 a month, and Setapp says yearly billing can save up to 40%. Students can get 20% off the annual Mac + iOS plan. Setapp says you can request a refund up to 30 days after the last payment on annual plans and up to 14 days on other subscriptions. AI credit subscriptions and top-ups are non-refundable. See Setapp coupons.
✅ What We Like
- 7-day free trial with 1,000 AI credits
- The company says it covers 300+ Mac, iOS and web apps
- Free updates and no ads, according to Setapp
- Mac + iOS plan covers 1 Mac and 4 iOS devices
- 20% educational discount on the annual Mac + iOS plan
💡 Things to Consider
- Monthly plans have a 14-day refund window, so test during the trial
- AI credit purchases are non-refundable, so start with included credits
- Legacy prices are lost if you switch plans, so check before changing
2. CleanMyMac: Best for Mac Cleanup and Maintenance
Best for: Mac owners who want one app for cleanup, malware and maintenance · Starting price: Plan for 1 Mac from $3.33/mo, billed $39.95 per year; $9.95/mo month-to-month · Our score: 4.3/5
CleanMyMac from MacPaw is an all-in-one Mac cleaner and maintenance app. The company says it handles junk, duplicates, malware and performance issues, and it cites 29 million downloads. The app requires macOS 11 or later and 320 MB of space. You can choose a subscription or a one-time purchase at the MacPaw Store or the App Store. Buying from the MacPaw Store also gives a 30% discount on other MacPaw products. Its support pages describe a free 7-day trial for CleanMyMac X, with all modules unlocked.
On the MacPaw Store, the plan for 1 Mac is listed at $3.33 a month, billed $39.95 per year. The plan for 2 Macs is billed $63.95 per year and the plan for 5 Macs $127.95 per year. Month-to-month pricing starts at $9.95 a month. MacPaw offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. Monthly subscriptions started on or after 23 November 2024 have a 14-day window, and renewal payments are not refundable. Subscriptions renew automatically. See CleanMyMac coupons.
✅ What We Like
- Plan for 1 Mac from $3.33 a month, billed yearly
- 30-day money-back guarantee on the initial purchase
- One-time purchase available as well as subscriptions
- Multi-Mac plans for 2 and 5 Macs
- 30% off other MacPaw products when you buy from the MacPaw Store
💡 Things to Consider
- Monthly plans have a 14-day refund window, so decide early
- Renewals are not refundable, so set a reminder before renewal
- Subscriptions renew automatically, so turn off auto-renew if needed
3. Raycast: Best for Free Launcher with Optional AI
Best for: keyboard-first Mac users who want a free launcher with optional AI · Starting price: Free plan; Pro from $8/mo billed annually ($96/yr), $10/mo month-to-month · Our score: 4.5/5
Raycast is a Mac launcher and productivity app you open with a single keyboard shortcut. The free plan includes Clipboard History, Quicklinks, Calculator, Snippets, Emoji Picker, Window Management, five Raycast Notes and access to Raycast for iOS. Free users can also browse thousands of extensions. Paid plans add Raycast AI with a built-in AI Agent, AI Extensions, Cloud Sync, custom themes and unlimited Clipboard History. In its launch post, Raycast said it was used daily by over 100,000 people.
According to Raycast’s billing manual, Pro costs $10 a month or $96 a year with 500 AI credits a month. Pro+ is $20 a month or $192 a year with 3,000 credits, and Max is $50 a month or $480 a year with 7,500 credits. Unused credits roll over for one extra billing cycle. A 7-day free trial is available for the Pro plan. Its terms say payments are non-refundable, apart from certain consumer cooling-off rights.
✅ What We Like
- Free plan with Clipboard History, Snippets and Window Management
- Access to Raycast for iOS on the free plan
- Pro from $8 a month billed annually
- 7-day free trial of Pro
- Unused AI credits roll over for one extra billing cycle
💡 Things to Consider
- AI features need a paid plan, so try the Pro trial first
- Payments are generally non-refundable, so use the 7-day trial
- Top-tier AI models need Pro+ or Max, so check the plan table
4. Alfred: Best for One-Time Licence Buyers
Best for: Mac users who prefer a free core app and a one-time Powerpack licence · Starting price: Free core; Powerpack one-time licence, see pricing page · Our score: 4.2/5
Alfred is a Mac productivity app for launching applications, finding files on your Mac or the web, and controlling your Mac with hotkeys and keywords. The developer says it learns how you use your Mac and prioritises results. The free core can be used without time limits in personal, educational or business settings. The paid Powerpack adds features such as workflows and preference sync via Dropbox or a similar service. Alfred Remote for iOS turns an iPhone or iPad into a command centre for your Mac.
The Powerpack is sold as a licence rather than a monthly plan. Options include a Single License for one user and a Mega Supporter licence with free lifetime upgrades; see pricing page for current prices. The shop says buying now includes a free upgrade to Alfred 6. Corporate licensing starts at 5 activations, with volume discounts of 10% to 40%. Alfred’s terms say refunds are not offered for choosing the wrong licence type, so try the free core first.
✅ What We Like
- Free core with no time limit
- Powerpack is a licence, not a subscription
- Mega Supporter licence includes free lifetime upgrades
- Free upgrade to Alfred 6 when you buy now, according to the shop
- Preferences are stored locally on your Mac
💡 Things to Consider
- No refunds for picking the wrong licence type, so compare licences first
- Licences are non-transferable and for individual use
- You manage your own preference backups, for example with Time Machine
How to Choose Between Setapp and Its Alternatives
How Many Apps Will You Actually Use?
If you would use several apps from a large catalogue, Setapp’s Mac plan is $14.99 a month plus tax, and the company says yearly billing saves up to 40%. If you only need a launcher or a cleaner, Raycast, Alfred or CleanMyMac may cover your needs on their own.
Do You Need Apps on Your iPhone Too?
Setapp’s Mac + iOS plan is $18.99 a month and covers 1 Mac and 4 iOS devices. Raycast gives free plan users access to Raycast for iOS, and Alfred Remote for iOS turns an iPhone or iPad into a command centre for your Mac.
How Much AI Do You Want?
Setapp includes 1,000 AI credits in its 7-day free trial. Raycast’s Pro plan includes 500 AI credits a month, Pro+ includes 3,000 and Max includes 7,500, and unused credits roll over for one extra billing cycle.
How Do Refunds Work?
Setapp says it accepts refund requests up to 30 days after the last payment on annual plans and up to 14 days on other subscriptions, but AI credit purchases are non-refundable. MacPaw offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on CleanMyMac, with a 14-day window for newer monthly subscriptions. Raycast says payments are generally non-refundable, and Alfred does not refund the wrong licence type, so start with each free trial or free plan.
Are There Discounts for Students or Extra Products?
Setapp gives students 20% off the annual Mac + iOS plan. Buying CleanMyMac from the MacPaw Store adds 30% off other MacPaw products, and Alfred offers corporate volume discounts of 10% to 40% from 5 activations.
Can You Save with a Coupon?
Yes. Check Setapp coupons and CleanMyMac coupons before you subscribe. Our coupon pages list current codes and offers; click Get Code so the discount is applied.
Final Thoughts
For most Mac and iPhone users who want many apps under one bill, Setapp is the best fit on this list, with a 7-day free trial, 1,000 AI credits to start and a Mac plan from $14.99 a month plus tax. If you mainly want cleanup and maintenance, try CleanMyMac; for a free keyboard launcher with optional AI, try Raycast; and if you prefer a free core and a one-time licence, try Alfred. Read our Setapp review for more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best Setapp alternatives?
As of November 2026, the top Setapp alternatives are CleanMyMac (Mac cleanup and maintenance), Raycast (free launcher with optional AI) and Alfred (free core with a one-time Powerpack licence), while Setapp says it covers 300+ Mac, iOS and web apps.
Is there a free alternative to Setapp?
Yes. As of November 2026, Raycast has a free plan with Clipboard History, Snippets and Window Management, and Alfred has a free core with no time limit. Setapp itself offers a 7-day free trial with 1,000 AI credits.
How much does Setapp cost compared with CleanMyMac and Raycast?
As of November 2026, Setapp’s Mac plan is $14.99 a month plus tax and Mac + iOS is $18.99 a month. CleanMyMac’s plan for 1 Mac is $3.33 a month, billed $39.95 per year, and Raycast Pro is $8 a month billed annually or $10 a month month-to-month.
Which Setapp alternative offers a one-time licence?
As of November 2026, Alfred sells its Powerpack as a licence rather than a subscription, including a Mega Supporter licence with free lifetime upgrades, and CleanMyMac offers a one-time purchase at the MacPaw Store or the App Store. For Alfred prices, see the pricing page.
Which Mac app subscriptions offer refunds?
Setapp says it accepts refund requests up to 30 days after the last payment on annual plans and up to 14 days on other subscriptions, and MacPaw offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on CleanMyMac. Raycast says payments are generally non-refundable, and Alfred does not refund the wrong licence type.
Are there Setapp promo codes?
Yes. Our Setapp coupon page lists current promo codes and offers as of November 2026. Click Get Code on the page so the discount is applied at checkout.
About the author: Mohamed Zaki, Founder & Chief MarTech Strategist, Coupons Scout. Mohamed Zaki is the founder of Coupons Scout and leads how the team finds deals and researches the software behind them. He focuses on marketing technology, automation tools and ways to pay less for them.
Editorial note: this article is based on research of brand product pages, help centers and policies, last checked November 11, 2026. Scores are our editorial opinion. Coupons Scout may earn a commission from some links, which never changes our rankings.
Sources
Brand pages we used for this article, checked November 11, 2026. Prices and plans can change, so confirm on the brand’s own website before you buy.
- Setapp homepage
- Setapp pricing
- Setapp 115004394569 Subscription plans
- Setapp 8936786965148 Why is my price different
- Setapp 13689506166556 Setapp Mobile subscription plans
- CleanMyMac cleanmymac
- CleanMyMac purchase options
- CleanMyMac request refund
- CleanMyMac refund policy
- CleanMyMac trial
- Raycast homepage
- Raycast pricing
- Raycast changing how raycast ai is priced
- Raycast terms of service
- Alfred homepage
- Alfred terms
- Alfred connection questions
- Setapp ai / best free ai tools for mac on setapp
- CleanMyMac store / cleanmymac
- Raycast pro
- Raycast billing
- Cleanmymac blog / cleanmymac vs cleanmymac x
- Raycast blog / introducing raycast pro
